Chapter 373: Second Round of the Competition, the Netizens Come up With the Topic

The International Painting and Calligraphy Competition was originally something that was known within their own circle. Those that paid attention were people who studied art and a group of art collectors.

After the voices of doubt and speculations about Zi Yi in the afternoon, the second round of the competition had been the focus of attention.

Some of them started to dig up information about Zi Yi.

“This Zi Yi is not a simple figure. First, she was a spoiled brat, and shortly after, she suddenly turned the tables and clinched first place in M.Uni’s independent enrollment. How did she manage to do that?”

“Everyone, you can go and look at Zi Yi’s appearance in the morning competition and we’ll talk after.”

“So beautiful. This is the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful girl. She’s as beautiful and delicate as an angel.”

“Such a beautiful lady must already have a boyfriend.”

“If those conjectures are true, there must definitely be a powerful person behind a beautiful woman. This would then also confirm the speculations.”

“The person backing her must have used some methods in order to let her clinch the first place spot. Winning first place in an International Painting and Calligraphy competition sounds very impactful.”

“The painting she painted in the morning is honestly very good. It’s to the extent that I can’t even tell apart the painting and the real deal. Could it be that she had made a switch during the competition? Then who is the real owner of the painting?”

…

The guesses on the internet increased explosively. When the International Painting and Calligraphy Association revealed the topic of the second round of the competition would be determined by the netizens, the whole internet exploded.

At the same time, numerous international online media started to broadcast the competition.

In less than half a day, the international competition had become known by the whole world.

Within the art museum.

Country X’s Calligraphy and Painting Association Chairman was currently conversing with a group of judges about how the netizens would come out with a topic.

“Only ten minutes have passed and there are already tens of thousands of suggestions.”

“These people are all real individuals and we are also able to locate their specific locations. Moreover, those that came up with the topic are people from all walks of life.”

The group of judges lowered their heads and started a discussion.

One of the judges was worried. “If the system chooses an extremely difficult topic, is four hours too little?”

Another judge thought for a moment and suggested. “If the topic that the system randomly draws out is very difficult, we can postpone the last round by one day and extend the second round. The contestants who advance would have a day off.”

“I agree with this suggestion.”

Shortly after, several judges agreed with the suggestion.

The afternoon competition was originally stated to start at 2 p.m.

However, as the topic would be given by the netizens, the competition had been delayed for half an hour.

2:30 p.m.

It was the cut-off time for the netizens to suggest a topic.

“Oh heavens, in such a short time, there are 158,435 people who came up with a topic!”

People belonging to the Painting and Calligraphy circles were all shocked when they saw the number of responses.

“These people come from all around the world and are from all walks of life. The topics they suggest would definitely be very strange. I wonder if it would make things difficult for the contestants.”

Members of the Painting and Calligraphy Association quickly flipped through the topics that were submitted. All their expressions became heavy.

Country X’s Association Chairman said to the judges, “Some of the topics aren’t very difficult. We have to choose one among so many. Otherwise, our circle would be the one who embarrasses ourselves.”

Upon hearing that, everyone discovered that they were too hasty in making this decision.

Just when everyone was in a dilemma, the International Association’s Chairman received a phone call. After hanging up, he said excitedly, “Someone has solved this problem for us! The system will automatically remove those useless and strange submissions.”

Only then did they breathe out a sigh of relief.

2:40 p.m.

The International Association Chairman came out and announced the rules of the competition. “As there are too many submissions, for the sake of fairness, we will implement the system and continue scrolling through the suggestions for a minute. One minute later, the topic that is selected will be what the contestants have to work with.”

After the Chairman finished his speech, all kinds of topics appeared on the large screen and the system started to scroll through. Everyone was staring at the screen.

They had held their breaths as they waited for the result.

A minute later, the topic was shown on the screen.

[Use a piece of hay to make everyone cry (Note: no people or animals can appear in the drawing)]

The contestants looked at the screen and pondered for a while before they turned around and walked towards their easel.

When the ten contestants began drawing, the netizens started a discussion.

Some said that the topic was too simple and there were also some who said that it was extremely difficult.

Thus, a debating contest had progressed over the internet.

On the other hand, half an hour had passed in the competition venue and some of them had yet to touch their brushes.

The judges looked at the ten contestants and conversed in a low voice.

“I didn’t expect such a topic to have been chosen, it’s going to be difficult for them.”

“I beg to differ as I think that this topic is good. The highest realm in our circle is for us to be able to convey the artistic concept of our painting. As long as you can move people with your artistic concept, then it’s considered a real success.”

“It seems like the person who submitted this topic is a kindred spirit.”

“I wonder who among all of them would be able to complete such a painting.”

Everyone turned their attention to the canvas of the ten contestants. At this conjecture, everyone had more or less drawn something.

When their gazes shifted to Zi Yi’s canvas, they could not shift their eyes away.

What Zi Yi drew was, in fact, very simple. It was a piece of grass floating in a stormy sea.

It was precisely that piece of grass that made those who saw the painting unconsciously think back to their lives.

The group of judges had teared up.

The netizens who were looking at Zi Yi’s painting were also silent.

Her painting clearly looked plain on the surface so why did they suddenly start tearing up at the sight of it?

Some of the netizens left comments online.

“This is the first time I cried while looking at a piece of painting. When looking at it, I actually recalled the grievances I had suffered in the past, and feelings of unwillingness soon surged forth.”

“I thought that I have lived the past dozens of years happily, but when I saw that painting, I felt apologetic to my parents. My happiness was given by them but I have never been grateful to them.”

…

It took Zi Yi three hours to complete the painting.

After she was done, she felt somewhat unsatisfied and drew a sun at a corner of the canvas with a paintbrush.

Unexpectedly, the additional detail she added caused everyone to cry even harder.

“Wuuuu… earlier on, the painting reflects the depression of darkness but with the addition of the sun, I feel hopeful again.”

“I finally understand what it means to cry out of joy. It’s because there’s hope.”

After Zi Yi finished painting, she put her brush aside and headed to one side.

Those contestants who were halfway done started to get anxious when they saw that she had completed her painting so quickly.

Only Dou Xiangling and Meng He, who were seated in different positions, were still concentrated as they painted. Both of their faces revealed confidence.

Another hour or so later, Meng He put down his brush and stood up. “I’ve finished painting.”

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